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Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson broke a player's jaw with a hit but also put up key points as the team won its first Stanley Cup. The restricted free agent was rewarded with a deal that has an average annual value of $5.17 million.

Washington is known nationally for its politics, and the division that creates. But the Capitals' championship parade put focus on the local residents, and a city united by its team's title run.
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Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson broke a player's jaw with a big hit, put up key points in the playoffs and helped the team win a Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.

That combination is worth a little more than $31 million over six years, the Capitals decided after negotiating with the rugged restricted free agent. His cap hit is $5.17 million per season, up from the $2 million average in his last contract.

“Tom is a unique player in this league, in that he plays a physical game, leads by example and contributes in every facet of the game," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "At 24 years of age, he is just entering his prime and we believe that he will only continue to excel and improve as a player.”

But he also moved onto the Capitals' top line last season and produced 15 points in 21 playoff games.

But Wilson missed three games during the playoffs because he was suspended for a high hit that broke the jaw of the Pittsburgh Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese. The Penguins forward was left bloodied, suffered a concussion and needed to have surgery.

The NHL went to great pains in its video to explain why it was suspending him, even though he wasn't penalized on the play.

A game earlier, Wilson knocked Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin out of the game. The NHL took no action on the unpenalized hit because Dumoulin had changed his body and head position to avoid oncoming Capitals player Alex Ovechkin before Wilson connected.

In the first round, Wilson knocked the Columbus Blue Jackets' Alex Wennberg out of the game and received a charging call, but the league couldn't determine if the head was the main point of contact.

6 more years in DC!! Love this team and love this city. Beyond excited to stay a part of the Capitals family!

Showing his versatility, Wilson picked up an assist after both of the big hits against the Penguins. He had two assists to help the Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road in Game 7 in the Eastern Conference final and had two goals and an assist against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final.

Wilson began his career as a fourth-line tough guy but last season, he put it all together with a career-best 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points and 187 penalty minutes. In addition, he kills penalties.

He was the last Capitals player who needed to be signed. Washington enters next season with nearly all of its Stanley Cup team intact, except for coach Barry Trotz, who stepped down and later joined the New York Islanders, and fourth-line center Jay Beagle, who signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

Brooks Orpik, who was traded by the Capitals to Avalanche after the Stanley Cup win and then bought out, will return to Washington on a one-year, $1 million deal. He could earn another $500,000 in performance bonuses. Bill Sikes, AP

Vinnie Hinostroza was traded to the Arizona Coyotes by the Chicago Blackhawks along with Marian Hossa's contract, defenseman Jordan Oesterle and a third-round pick in 2019. Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Kruger was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks from the Arizona Coyotes along with MacKenzie Entwistle, Jordan Maletta, Andrew Campbell and a fifth-round pick in 2019. James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports